Rating: 
Summary: "One Wheel in the Sand"
Review: .
The Good News --- Mr. Adams does an excellent job of developing the key concepts of chassis performance and then ties them together using a computerized chassis modeling program. His book is very clearly written at the conceptual level and is well-suited for the semi-technical reader.The Bad News --- To design a new independent front (or rear) suspension and check its effectiveness, the program the author advocates and uses in his examples is not available to the reader since its source is no longer in business. Further, there is no reference to, or explanation of, the coding or its formulary relationships needed to integrate the critical parameters of chassis design. Accordingly, we are left with a primer of suspension concepts that cannot be implemented with any degree of certainty or predictability. In the absence of this program, or an explanation of how it integrates the principles Mr. Adams sets forth, this book would be more aptly titled "Basic Concepts of Chassis Design with Generalized Examples." Were this quintessential program or its commented coding still available, however, this book would nicely deliver what its title implies. In its absence, though, "Chassis Engineering" is of little help to anyone who actually wants to design chassis elements with any degree of predictability. Unfortunately, after reading this book, the chassis engineering process remains one of well-informed, well-intentioned trial and error.
Rating: 
Summary: A good balance between theory and practice.
Review: A good book that has an excellent blend of the theory AND practice of the subject. I particularly liked the worked examples and the fact that it gave actual values to the concepts discussed. The diagrams and explanations are clear and easy to understand. The book is not too race oriented but also very applicable to those wanting to make their road cars handle better. Two (small) criticisms: 1. Far too much space is given to the characterisrics and setting up of circle track cars ( left/right turn only ) which cannot be of general interest. 2. Pictures are included that do not add to the content in any way.
Rating: 
Summary: Good primer, extremely applicable
Review: Adams' book is wonderful for learning the basics of suspension design. More important than only learning the concepts of suspension geometry is the application of that into practical use, which Adams shows concisely. His information is put out in a way that you can actually make a simple system, then understand the 'why' behind it enough to tune it. Very good for anything less than professional design.
Rating:
Summary: Good primer, extremely applicable
Review: Adams' book is wonderful for learning the basics of suspension design. More important than only learning the concepts of suspension geometry is the application of that into practical use, which Adams shows concisely. His information is put out in a way that you can actually make a simple system, then understand the 'why' behind it enough to tune it. Very good for anything less than professional design.
Rating:
Summary: Good for the non-engineer
Review: Chassis Engineering, by Herb Adams is a great primer. When I bought the book it was exactly what I needed. Not too theoretical, more on practical. There are many rules-of-thumb that I thought were very helpful in guiding my decisions. The book provided me with about 80% of what I need to know about designing my own suspension. Don't expect everything from this book, it's the size a magazine. I was perfect for me, however, as I knew very little about the subject and I didn't want to get bored learning from a 400 page textbook. Very high recommendation for $14.
Rating:
Summary: Good for the non-engineer
Review: Chassis Engineering, by Herb Adams is a great primer. When I bought the book it was exactly what I needed. Not too theoretical, more on practical. There are many rules-of-thumb that I thought were very helpful in guiding my decisions. The book provided me with about 80% of what I need to know about designing my own suspension. Don't expect everything from this book, it's the size a magazine. I was perfect for me, however, as I knew very little about the subject and I didn't want to get bored learning from a 400 page textbook. Very high recommendation for $14.
Rating:
Summary: Good reference, excellent primer
Review: First, the not so good news. Like every other book in the automotive section, it is slightly dated. It is a fact in this subject, like a few others, and the nature of a technology-driven pursuit. Now that we got that out of the way, i found this book to be a very good reference for those who have some experience and a fairly good grasp on the concepts behind it. Also, it comes across in basic, easy to understand language, explaining anything more technical then simple shop-talk. Clear, concise examples with practical, real-world numbers are used through out. A relaxed, yet informative tone keeps it more interesting than a textbook, while adequately explaining the underlying technical points. i did feel that the book glossed over a few things however. Most notably in the section covering different types of front suspensions, it starts off with a well-balanced good point/bad point system. Near the end, it starts to feel as though the authors bias towards certain types shows through. Not to the point of comprimising the books authority, but it does show. The book itself is well laid out, clear charts and graphs, black and white pictures provide good illustration. The index is good, and makes for easy location of particular points. The last page has a list of books (from the publisher of course) that provides suggestions for continued reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Was the editor on vacation that week?
Review: Herb Adams' Chassis Engineering is a good introduction to chassis and suspension design for the general reader. The book is easy to read and well laid out with lots of photos and diagrams. A cursory reading will reveal many of the intricacies, interrelationships, and compromises involved in designing components and subsystems to engineer a chassis for a given purpose. Anyone with an interest in automotive design with high school reading skills can certainly gain some insight and appreciation for the complexities of chassis and suspension design from reading Adams' book.
As entertaining and informative the book may be for the general reader, Chassis Engineering cannot in any way be considered a reference book. The informed reader, or anyone with an editorial eye, will quickly spot inconsistencies throughout the text. The definitions and use of fundamental terms vary from page to page and there are direct conflicts between essential portions of the text and the supporting illustrations. Those familiar with the subject can easily overlook the errors and get the gist of the wisdom Adams is trying to impart. For all others: take all information in Chassis Engineering with a grain of salt until it can be cross-referenced and confirmed by better reference material.
Rating:
Summary: Was the editor on vacation that week?
Review: Herb Adams' Chassis Engineering is a good introduction to chassis and suspension design for the general reader. The book is easy to read and well laid out with lots of photos and diagrams. A cursory reading will reveal many of the intricacies, interrelationships, and compromises involved in designing components and subsystems to engineer a chassis for a given purpose. Anyone with an interest in automotive design with high school reading skills can certainly gain some insight and appreciation for the complexities of chassis and suspension design from reading Adams' book.
As entertaining and informative the book may be for the general reader, Chassis Engineering cannot in any way be considered a reference book. The informed reader, or anyone with an editorial eye, will quickly spot inconsistencies throughout the text. The definitions and use of fundamental terms vary from page to page and there are direct conflicts between essential portions of the text and the supporting illustrations. Those familiar with the subject can easily overlook the errors and get the gist of the wisdom Adams is trying to impart. For all others: take all information in Chassis Engineering with a grain of salt until it can be cross-referenced and confirmed by better reference material.
Rating:
Summary: Consistently in the winner's circle...
Review: Herb's easy to comprehend explainations of suspension theory and design, coupled with straight-foreward, real world implementation procedures is un-matched. His Trans-Am inspired road-race suspension performance and recent outstanding results with his "back-bone" cobra chassis(against the world's best!),speak for themselves. Read or settle for second place!
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